Stabbing on Third Avenue in Seattle

A man in his 30s was stabbed Monday afternoon near the McDonalds in the 1500 block of Third Avenue in Seattle. Gang Unit detectives were called to the scene. (Google Maps)

Gang Unit detectives are investigating a Monday afternoon stabbing near the McDonald’s in the 1500 block of Third Avenue.

The stabbing happened shortly after 4:20 p.m., and police said the victim knew the suspect. How they knew each other was not immediately clear. The victim, 20, was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. Police said he had been stabbed multiple times in the chest.

Two uniformed officers watching activity at Third Avenue and Pine Street saw the two yelling at each other and preparing to fight, police said.

“Using the police car’s public address system, the officers told the two to cease and move along,” Detective Jeff Kappel said in a statement. “The two subjects walked around the corner into the 1500 block of 3rd Avenue.”

Minutes later, someone ran to the police card and told the officers someone had been stabbed in front of the McDonalds.

“The officers ran to the scene and saw one of the subjects they had seen moments earlier bleeding from his arm,” Kappel said. “The officers called for additional units and rendered first aid to the victim until fire department medics could arrive and take over.”

The suspect, who fled on foot south down Third Avenue, was described as a thin black man with medium skin, 20 to 25 years old and 5-foot-9. He was last seen wearing a black baseball hat with a red insignia, a red shirt, a brown hooded sweater with block lettering and black pants.

Earlier Monday, police said the 20-year-old victim was in his 30s. It was not clear what caused the age discrepancy.

“The officers were hindered in their ability to apprehend the suspect due to the high-density of rush hour pedestrian and vehicular traffic, the chaotic scene on the sidewalk and the need to preserve the crime scene and potential evidence,” Kappel said.

The investigation caused delays Monday for rush-hour traffic and Metro buses on Third Avenue. Police have asked anyone with information, even those who want to remain anonymous, to call 911.